Counting On Chicks

In 2011, my friend Julie and I had a year full of grief, frustration, and unwelcome drama. Really, it was one emotional disaster after another. At the end of that year, we decided to change our focus to helping others. We committed to raise $5000 to "build an ark" for Heifer International to provide livestock and training for struggling families worldwide.

Our purpose was, and still is, to flood our lives with giving, optimism, and hope enough to float a boat full of animals to people who need them to survive. By spring or summer of 2012, we had done a pretty good job, having raised and donated roughly $3500 to Heifer. Looking for ways to raise more money without just going back to our friends and family to beg for more, I suggested we write a children's book about chickens (I have some as pets).

A few days later Julie Kaplan surprised me with a first draft and we were on our way. We worked together to flesh it out and I illustrated it. Now with lots of encouragement and help “Counting on Chicks” is available on Amazon. The message of the book encourages children to give, the message of this project is that so many people want to do their part. We hope you could share awareness for our project.

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The end of hunger isn’t a fairy tale

Welcome to the Heifer family. Donors, volunteers, recipients and our teams around the world share a common goal: To end hunger and poverty in a sustainable way. It’s a lofty goal, but we know it's achievable. Together we are the family that can create this change.

Togetherwe can makecows fly

See stories of how lives are being transformed around the globe through Heifer's work in more than 20 countries.

It’s not every day you hear of 4th graders learning the value of economics. But when Heifer International received a $480 donation along with a letter referencing “mini-society business sessions” taking place during 4th graders’ economic studies, we were intrigued.
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My name is Rebecca and I am from Lincoln Middle School in Meriden, CT. I am writing on behalf of my 7th grade team who worked at collecting money for your organization. My Social Studies teacher received your letter in the mail about donating to farms in East Africa and then gave us background on your organization because she uses your foundation herself. She then encouraged donations, even if it was just a penny.
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On 13 July 2015, Ladd, Illinois, a town of 1,300, celebrated its 125th anniversary. We had an outdoor mass and the collection of $845 was designated for Heifer International. We reflected that the early, immigrant settlers made it possible for us to have what we have today. We felt this was a small way we could share with others and give the gift that keeps on giving.

The students at Clementine Montessori School in Philadelphia, PA have been learning about the work of Heifer International all year. We've read books about worms and chickens, about Beatrice's goat, about good gardens and cows. We tasted honey when we studied how bees help people, drank goat's milk and ate goat cheese, cleaned alpaca fleece and learned big words, like "sustainability" and "faith."
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As an Orthodox Jewish school, we consider tzedekah or charity to be a mitzvah or good deed. Considering this, it is not surprising that the vast majority of my students care deeply about their involvement in the Read to Feed program and remain committed to Heifer's mission to end world hunger and poverty.
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For the second straight year, our children at Brookhaven Elementary School have taken on the challenge of raising funds for Heifer International. We "upped the ante" by making the teacher from the top fundraising class "Kiss the Cow" at our annual Spring Carnival.
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After cruising around for a bit and enjoying the beautiful scenery and wildlife, our captain docked the boat and told us all we could jump in and swim. Almost everyone from the group immediately sprinted to the side and cannonballed into the water like it was Caddy Day at Bushwood Country Club and they were allowed just 15 minutes to have fun before the Baby Ruth appeared. It was pretty great.
I didn’t join them.
Instead, I stood on the deck waving and smiling at everyone in the gorgeous water, and quickly decided it wasn’t something I could do.

Friends, I'm happy to report that found light in Malawi. There is light and colour everywhere. The women wear vibrant colours and patterns, and at every stop, our hosts greeted us with exuberant song and dance.